PhoulBallz Interview: IronPigs' Guthrie talks success

Dalton Guthrie, image- Jay Floyd

Versatile prospect Dalton Guthrie is producing extremely well with Triple-A Lehigh Valley and has begun opening some eyes.

The 25-year-old that plays various positions on defense (2b, 3b, SS, CF, LF just this season) opened the 2021 campaign with Double-A Reading, but since his promotion to the IronPigs, Guthrie has torched the opposition. Through 27 games, he has posted a .357 average with 12 doubles, two home runs, 11 RBI and a pair of stolen bases.

Guthrie, a 6th round draft pick by the Phillies back in 2017 out of the University of Florida, is the son of former big leaguer Mark Guthrie.

This week I talked with Dalton about his remarkable season, growing up around professional baseball and more. Read ahead for excerpts of that interview.

-You're having a great season. Congratulations on your success. What do you attribute the excellent production to with Lehigh Valley?

I think I was forced to make a swing adjustment early in the year when I struggled and that has helped. My Double-A hitting coach kept working with me and helped tweak some things.

-Was that Tyler Henson? And can you describe what the adjustments were?

Yes, it was. He told me to lift my hands up as high as I could. Early in the year they were at around my chest. He told me he wanted me to lift them up higher to help me handle the ball away. I started to think down to the ball when my hands were up instead of up to the ball and I’ve hit the ball better.

-You've been so versatile on defense...is there a spot you feel more comfortable and does moving around add to the challenge of the game and possibly help keep you sharp?

I like to tell myself I feel comfortable wherever they put me and try not to think about it too much. It can be challenging at times but I enjoy the role.

To read the full version of this interview, visit my Patreon page at Patreon.com/PhoulBallz and support my work.

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